Psychosocial Stages: A Summary Chart

Age Conflict Important Events Outcome

Infancy (birth to 18 months) Trust vs. Mistrust  Feeding Hope

Early Childhood (2 to 3 years) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Toilet Training Will

Preschool (3 to 5 years) Initiative vs. Guilt Exploration Purpose

School Age (6 to 11 years) Industry vs. Inferiority School Confidence

Adolescence (12 to 18 years) Identity vs. Role Confusion Social Relationships Fidelity

Young Adulthood (19 to 40 years) Intimacy vs. Isolation Relationships Love

Middle Adulthood (40 to 65 years) Generativity vs. Stagnation Work and Parenthood Care

Maturity (65 to death) Ego Integrity vs. Despair Reflection on Life Wisdom

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust

The first stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development occurs between birth and 1 year of age and is
the most fundamental stage in life. Because an infant is utterly dependent, developing trust is based on the
dependability and quality of the child's caregivers. At this point in development, the child is utterly dependent
upon adult caregivers for everything they need to survive including food, love, warmth, safety, and nurturing. If
a caregiver fails to provide adequate care and love, the child will come to feel that they cannot trust or depend
upon the adults in their life.

Outcomes

If a child successfully develops trust, the child will feel safe and secure in the world. Caregivers who are
inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or rejecting contribute to feelings of mistrust in the children under their
care. Failure to develop trust will result in fear and a belief that the world is inconsistent and unpredictable.

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

The second stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development takes place during early childhood and is
focused on children developing a greater sense of personal control. The Role of Independence at this point in
development, children are just starting to gain a little independence. They are starting to perform basic actions
on their own and making simple decisions about what they prefer. By allowing kids to make choices and gain
control, parents and caregivers can help children develop a sense of autonomy.

Outcomes

Children who struggle and who are shamed for their accidents may be left without a sense of personal control.
Success during this stage of psychosocial development leads to feelings of autonomy; failure results in feelings
of shame and doubt.

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt

The third stage of psychosocial development takes place during the preschool years. At this point in
psychosocial development, children begin to assert their power and control over the world through directing
play and other social interactions. Children who are successful at this stage feel capable and able to lead others.
Those who fail to acquire these skills are left with a sense of guilt, self-doubt, and lack of initiative.

Outcomes

The major theme of the third stage of psychosocial development is that children need to begin asserting control
and power over the environment. Success in this stage leads to a sense of purpose. Children who try to exert too
much power experience disapproval, resulting in a sense of guilt.

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority

The fourth psychosocial stage takes place during the early school years from approximately ages 5 to 11.
Through social interactions, children begin to develop a sense of pride in their accomplishments and abilities.
Children need to cope with new social and academic demands. Success leads to a sense of competence, while
failure results in feelings of inferiority.

Outcomes

Children who are encouraged and commended by parents and teachers develop a feeling of competence and
belief in their skills. Those who receive little or no encouragement from parents, teachers, or peers will doubt
their abilities to be successful.

Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion

The fifth psychosocial stage takes place during the often turbulent teenage years. This stage plays an essential
role in developing a sense of personal identity which will continue to influence behavior and development for
the rest of a person's life. Teens need to develop a sense of self and personal identity. Success leads to an ability
to stay true to you, while failure leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self. During adolescence, children
explore their independence and develop a sense of self. Those who receive proper encouragement and
reinforcement through personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and feelings
of independence and control. Those who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will feel insecure and
confused about themselves and the future.

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation

Young adults need to form intimate, loving relationships with other people. Success leads to strong
relationships, while failure results in loneliness and isolation. This stage covers the period of early adulthood
when people are exploring personal relationships. Erikson believed it was vital that people develop close,
committed relationships with other people. Those who are successful at this step will form relationships that are
enduring and secure.

Building On Earlier Stages

Remember that each step builds on skills learned in previous steps. Erikson believed that a strong sense of
personal identity was important for developing intimate relationships. Studies have demonstrated that those with
a poor sense of self tend to have less committed relationships and are more likely to struggler with emotional
isolation, loneliness, and depression.
Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation

Adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by having children or creating a positive
change that benefits other people. Success leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, while failure
results in shallow involvement in the world. During adulthood; we continue to build our lives, focusing on our
career and family. Those who are successful during this phase will feel that they are contributing to the world
by being active in their home and community. Those who fail to attain this skill will feel unproductive and
uninvolved in the world.

Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair

The final psychosocial stage occurs during old age and is focused on reflecting back on life. At this point in
development, people look back on the events of their lives and determine if they are happy with the life that
they lived or if they regret the things they did or didn't do. Erikson’s theory differed from many others because
it addressed development throughout the entire lifespan, including old age. Older adults need to look back on
life and feel a sense of fulfilment. Success at this stage leads to feelings of wisdom, while failure results in
regret, bitterness, and despair. At this stage, people reflect back on the events of their lives and take stock.
Those who look back on a life they feel was well-lived will feel satisfied and ready to face the end of their lives
with a sense of peace. Those who look back and only feel regret will instead feel fearful that their lives will end
without accomplishing the things they feel they should have.

Outcomes

Those who are unsuccessful during this stage will feel that their life has been wasted and may experience many
regrets. The person will be left with feelings of bitterness and despair.